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Abstract

This thesis presents mainly ultrastructural
data on neurosecretory (NS) cells in the optic lobe and
on several ancillary circulatory structures.
A vital staining technique for NS material
using acridine orange is described. All known types of
NS material in insects give a positive reaction with this
technique.
The ultrastructure, histology and histochemistry
of a new group of NS cells in the optic lobe are described.
The axons of these cells are innervated by axons containing
small dense granules which probably control the function of
the NS cells. The optic lobes have been previously postulated
as the site of a circadian clock controlling locomotor
activity and the NS cells may be intimately involved with
this clock mechanism. Initial experiments to find a causal
relationship between the NS cells and activity were equivocal.

Four pairs of segmental blood vesseIs occur in
association with abdominal excurrent ostia of the heart.
The segmental blood vessels are composed of fibroblasts
and connective tissue strands and have numerous longitudinal
NS axons which form an extension of the neurohaemal organ 1
associated with the lateral cardiac nerve. The number
of release sites in the NS axons show a marked diurnal variation.
The valves of the segmental blood vessels are
composed of a peculiar type of muscle. They are innervated
by granule-containing axons. The valves have a
rhythm different to the heart, and it appears as if they
have different controlling mechanisms. The valves appear
to control the distribution of blood to various regions of
the abdomen.
The NS axons of the lateral cardiac nerve are
at least partly derived from segmental nerves of the ventral
cord as well as from the median/transverse nerves.
There is a pair of peripheral NS cells at the junction
of the median/transverse nerve and the link nerve. There
is also a multipolar neuron in this region. The link
nerve appears to constitute a neurohaemal site.
Accessory pulsatile organs associated with the
antennae have a complex structure. Briefly, two ampullae
are attached to the Irons and they are connected to each
other by a pulsatile muscle. There is a neurohaemal system
in the ampulla wall which contains terminal Herring
bodies. A vessel runs to the antenna from the ampulla.
The cells of the vessel wall are specialized and have many
resemblances to other epithelia involved in active transport
of ions and/or water.

Item Type:	Thesis - PhD
Authors/Creators:	Beattie, Terence Michael
Keywords:	Neurosecretion, Cockroaches
Copyright Holders:	The Author
Copyright Information:	Copyright 1972 the Author - The University is continuing to endeavour to trace the copyright owner(s) and in the meantime this item has been reproduced here in good faith. We would be pleased to hear from the copyright owner(s).
Additional Information:	Thesis (Ph.D) - University of Tasmania, 1972. Bibliography: p. 197-231
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